Paul Purin's Western States Story

Hi everyone, I am back safe and sound from an unforgettable day in the Mountains of Tahoe National Forest. It was magnificently beautiful and I am so thankful to have had the chance to view such amazing terrain. Although short-lived it was an incredible learning experience. My hat goes off to all those who finished with Dave and Gilles from the North Shore way to go as you are both super-men in my books!!!! These are two local athletes who beat the heat and crossed the line. Here is my story for those interested:

Woke up at 1:00am to have my usual carbo-loading meal and crawled back into bed trying not to disturb the rest of my crew sleeping soundly for the big day of crewing. We all woke up at 3:50am and I started pacing around the room getting all my gear ready. Lubed up the feet and slid on my Injinji toe socks and another pair on top. All said and done it felt like I was ready for battle and I felt really good. We loaded up the vehicle and headed to the starting line at around 4:40am. Picked up the race number and made a trip to the john and I was ready to go. Race started 5:00am sharp and the temperature was perfect for 5:00am and not too chilly but just right. A little warmer than usual was my understanding from other participants. The race began and just like that 400 people were off on their journies totally unsure what to expect out there but excited as hell. The climb was brutal and the altitude was eating away at my heart rate as it was quite high based on my perceived effort. This was my first altitude experience and I was surprised how many people ahead of me seemed to be moving very quickly and I felt I was moving quickly as well. I really felt like my pace was under control but I think in the end I may have pushed a little hard off the start and paid the price later. We hit the summit one hour into the race and headed down the other side through all snow and mud river filled trails for the next 1 ½ hours. You really had to watch out for tree-holes and loose snow as you ripped along. We came down about 1000 feet and stayed around 7,400 feet for the next few hours. My stomach started to feel a little off 2 hours in and I was not too concerned at that point. The heat rolled in around 8:15 or so and it got hotter and hotter as we kept moving. I knew I was in big trouble when I was not able to run the down-hills. My stomach was just off and I started throwing up 3 ½ hours in. From here to 7 hours 45 minutes it was a downhill disaster as I could not get fluids in to my system. I hit the second aid station and loaded up on anything I could put down including sprite, water, pretzels and even a small peanut butter and jam sandwich that I only took two bites of. I headed out after five minutes or so and thought okay this is where I am gonna revive and start feeling better as I thought to myself how could I be in such trouble so early on with all my preparation. Five minutes later I had the most intense painful throw-up session I have ever experienced and all the fuel from the aid station and anything else was gone to the squirrels and cougars J This was not good and I kept saying “one foot in front of the other, Keep moving forward” I stopped and sat in each creek crossing thinking if I could keep my temperature down I might be able to come back. Nothing stayed down and I knew I was in big trouble and at 5 and a half hours I was pretty sure I would pull the pin at Robinson Flat. It got worse from there and form 10:15am to 12:45am I covered 6 miles in an absolute death march. It took all my effort and spirit to make it to Robinson Flats. I rolled in and hopped on the scale and I was down 7 to 8 pounds from 161 to 153 which was not good. They instructed me to hydrate up but little did they know I had been trying this for 4 and a half hours to no avail. My crew, Samantha Purin, John Duffield and of course my partner in crime Neil Jones, were awesome and sat me down and started loading fuel into my body. Little did I know but the temperature was forecast to be upwards of 120 degrees into the canyons ahead. I made my decision, this was completely my call and no-one elses, to pull the pin as I was not fit to even attempt this type of heat and could have been in dangerous territory. I thought of my beautiful family both in front of me, Samantha, and at home with my baby girl. This was a tough decision but an easy one at the same time as my body had given everything it had to even make it this far. Turns out this was not my day. I felt like Super-man leading up to this race and my coaches, Sean and Tara-Lee with Can-Wi Coaching had me ready to roll and well trained. It turns out that I was not Super-man and just like everyone else we are susceptible to the elements and it was not in the cards for me.

You have all been so supportive and I thank you all for tuning in and thinking of me out there. Sorry I was not able to go the distance and I really learned a lot from the experience. Importance of Family and also bringing me even closer to the running community of North Vancouver. These are life lessons and for that I am extremely thankful.

Onto the next challenge and holding my head up high J Again thanks for all those who supported me and I look forward to seeing you all soon.